Elimination of Architectural Barriers

Here are the public comments on general topics received during the 2012 Strategic Planning process. The comments are grouped as answers to the four questions we based our discussions on.

1. What are we doing well?
2. What can we do better?
3. If you could change one service that we provide or eliminate or amend any provision of TDLR’s statutes or rules, what would it be?
4. What major changes will occur over the next five years that will impact the way you do business and the services we provide?

Read the comments (16 kb PDF) To see the comments for each individual license program, go to that program's section on the web site.

The 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) are now online.

2012 Texas Accessibility Standards Order Form

1994 TAS ADA/ABA Side-By-Side Comparison - This 681-page document (7 MB pdf) provides a comparison between the 1994 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) and the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design which include guidelines issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). This is the working document developed by the Department in 2010 to be used by the TDLR Architectural Barriers Advisory Board during the review and implementation of the 2012 TAS; therefore, it is intended for informational purposes only since it does not reflect all additions, changes, or revisions made to the final adopted edition of the 2012 TAS.

A similar side-by-side comparison issued by the U. S. Access Board which includes the International Building Code (IBC) in addition to the 1991 and 2010 ADA guidelines is available on their website: http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/comparison/index.htm .

Technical Memorandum 2012-01 (TM 2012-01) Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - memorandum applicable to electric vehicle charging stations re-issued due to the adoption of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS).

The Building Professional Institute (BPI) at the University of Texas in Arlington has coordinated with TDLR to offer the Texas Accessibility Academy May 22 -24, 2012. The three day (24 credit hours) academy is a prerequisite for individuals seeking to become a Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS). Attendance is open to all individuals interested in an overview of the new 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards.

Also provided will be a seminar (4 credit hours) directed towards Understanding Texas Accessibility Requirements on May 22, 2012 and a discussion (3 credit hours) of the Elimination of Architectural Barriers in the Public Way will be offered May 25, 2012. All courses will satisfy the required instruction in department-approved topics in accordance with 16 Texas Administrative Code, Section 68.74(b) for those already licensed as Registered Accessibility Specialists.

If you have any questions please contact:

Sana Touma
City of Mansfield
1200 E. Broad Street
Mansfield, Texas 76063
817-276-4277
sana.touma@mansfield-tx.gov

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, (TAC) Chapter 68, §§68.10, 68.30, 68.31, 68.50, 68.65, 68.74, 68.76, 68.80, 68.100, 68.101, and 68.102 and the repeal of §68.103 and §68.104, regarding the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program.  The adoption align current rules with federal law by adopting the 2012 edition of the Texas Accessibility Standards, and complies with House Bill (HB) 1055, 81st Legislature, Regular Session (2009) which extended the time frame for design professionals to have documents printed.  The adoption takes effect March 15, 2012. The adoption will be published in the February 10, 2012, issue of the Texas Register.  The justification for the adoption and the adopted rules are available online.

It has been brought to the Department’s attention that buildings and facilities may be constructed or altered in violation of federal accessibility requirements if the Department allows compliance with the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) to be based on the date a construction project is registered. Therefore, the compliance criteria for the 2012 TAS has been amended to be consistent with criteria established by the U.S. Department of Justice for public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Compliance with the 2012 TAS for new construction and alterations of all buildings and facilities subject to Chapter 469.003 is determined by:

 -   the date the last application for a building permit or permit extension is certified to be complete by a State, county, or local government;

 -   the date the last application for a building permit or permit extension is received by a State, county, or local government, where the government does not certify the completion of applications;

  -  or the start of physical construction or alteration, if no building permit is required.

If that date is on or after March 15, 2012, then new construction and alterations must comply with the 2012 TAS. If that date is on or after April 1, 1994, and before March 15, 2012, then new construction and alterations must comply with either the 1994 TAS or the 2012 TAS. A summary of this is available as a PDF for download (54kb).

Texas Accessibility Academy (TAA) dates scheduled

The Architectural Barriers Advisory Committee met October 13 in Austin. The agenda is available online. The meeting was archived and is available for viewing in RealPlayer.

TDLR held a town hall style meeting to discuss and take public questions and comments about proposed changes to Architectural Barriers Administrative Rules, including the adoption of new accessibility standards that will replace the current 1994 Texas Accessibility Standards.

The meeting was archived and is available for viewing on RealPlayer. The PowerPoint presentation given in the meeting is now available for download as a PDF (6.8 MB).

TDLR is now accepting online payment for administrative penalties.

New Federal Accessibility Standards - The U. S. Department of Justice published the final rule which revises the regulations that implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with an enforcement date of March 15, 2012. The new federal accessibility standards will be known as the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (SAD). For more information about the new ADA final rule, visit the U.S. Department of Justice website or the U. S. Access Board's website.

Online AB Project Registration and Payment Available - TDLR now accepts AB project registration payment online, using a credit or debit card.The online payment option allows a TDLR project number to be assigned immediately and ensures the property/facility owner can conveniently register their project in accordance with state law. AB projects may still be registered by downloading, completing and submitting by mail a Project Registration Form with the applicable fees to TDLR. For more information please email architectural.barriers@license.state.tx.us or call (512) 463-3211 or (877) 278-0999.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION